James McLemore (Mac) Williams, Jr.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

James McLemore (Mac) Williams, Jr., 89, died Monday November 19, 2018. Mac was born in Memphis, TN, the son of Carrie Causey Williams and James McLemore Williams, Sr. The family, along with Mac’s brother, Dick, moved to Blytheville in 1937. A graduate of Blytheville High School, he was a two-year letterman on the Chickasaw football team. After graduation, he attended the University of Arkansas, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

In 1949, he joined the Firm of Orgill Brothers & Co. of Memphis as a sales representative. In 1958, he founded the David-Williams Insurance Agency which later became the Bracey-Williams Insurance Agency. In 1967, he joined the General Insurance Agency as the assistant manager and in 1970, Mac became the manager and a partner in the Agency where he remained President until his death.

Mr. Williams had a great love for the city of Blytheville and a deep appreciation for its citizens. He served as President and Fund-Raising Chair for the United Way; he served as the President of the Blytheville Chamber of Commerce and Blytheville Unlimited. While a young parent, Mac was elected to the Blytheville School Board, serving for over 20 years and as president later in his tenure.

Mac was a Rotarian as well as a Paul Harris Fellow. He loved his church and served where needed: from Chairman of the Official Board to Trustee to Pastor Parish Chair to High School Sunday School Teacher to President of Methodist Men and for 5 years as a Member of The Finance Committee for Pension and Health Insurance of the North Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church.

In 2009, Mr. Williams received the Lifetime Community Achievement Award from the Blytheville Chamber of Commerce.

Mac loved all sports, but golf was his favorite. He often said, “You can judge a man’s character after playing 18 holes of golf with him.” He had the good fortune to win several championships in his early years and was the Blytheville Country Club Champion twice. He was very thankful that he lived long enough to see a golf program started for young girls and boys called First Tee.

Mr. Williams was proceeded in death by his wife of 58 years, Rosemary, and a son, Dr. John Sewell Williams, both in 2008. He also lost his brother, Dick, in 2006.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Crain Rose, his daughter, Alice Nunn (Jim) of Brownsville, TN, and his son, Mac Williams (Julie), of Gig Harbor, Washington. He leaves 7 grandchildren: Callye, Sean and Patrick Williams; Cap and William Nunn; John Charles Williams (Emily) and Emily Williams Matocha (Blake); and 2 great grandchildren, James Williams and Ava Williams.

Services for Mr. Williams will be held Saturday, November 24th at the First United Methodist Church in Blytheville, Arkansas with Reverend Zach Roberts officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm in the Sanctuary with a Celebration of Mr. Williams’ life to follow at 2:00 pm. The Burial will be private.

In Lieu of Flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Rotary Foundation, the First United Methodist Church of Blytheville, and/or the Blytheville Humane Society.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com